INC-3 on Mercury Instrument

At the 3rd meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to Prepare a Global Legally Binding Instrument on Mercury (INC-3), delegates conducted negotiations on the new draft text (UNEP(DTIE)/Hg.INC.3/3), and requested the Secretariat to compile a revised draft text based on the plenary negotiations, the reports of the INC-3 contact groups and the work of the Legal Group. Remaining divisions on issues such as financing and control measures underscored the need for flexibility and serious compromise, which is needed prior to the 27th UNEP Governing Council in 2013 where negotiations are supposed to be concluded.
IISD RS Coverage of Meeting

UN Discussion on Rio+20 Outcomes

The Principles of ECESA Plus (the Executive Committee of Economic and Social Affairs (ECESA), plus the UN Development Group (UN/DG) and Environment Management Group (UN/EMG))  met on 6 July to discuss the UN system’s preparations for UNCSD (Rio+20). Participants discussed possible outcomes, including practical initiatives that could be launched, and their organizations’ inputs to the outcome document. On the outcome document, participants thought it should reflect the integration of the three pillars of sustainable development, particularly by giving more emphasis to the social pillar, including job creation, decent work, and social inclusion. They also considered the five options for institutional reform proposed by UNEP/GC-26. The Principals stressed the need to strengthen the UN’s institutional capacity under the environmental pillar of sustainable development, while also supporting and reforming the institutions addressing economic and social development.

ECESA Plus News

UNEP: Consultations with Major Groups and Stakeholders

On September 1 and 2, UNEP will organize two consultations in Bonn (Germany):

1.      UNEP Global consultation on Rio+20 on the theme “Engaging with Major Groups and Stakeholders on Rio+20: the Role of Civil Society in Shaping the Sustainable Development Agenda for the 21st century!”, September 1, 2011

2.      UNEP Regional Consultation for Europe (RCM) in preparation for UNEP’s 12th Special Sesssion of the Governing Council / Global Ministerial Environment Forum on September 2, 2011

The consutlations  will contribute to the preparations of UNEP’s Global Major Groups and Stakeholder Forum and the 12th Special Sesssion of the Governing Council / Global Ministerial Environment Forum to be held from 20-22 February 2012, as well as to the Rio+20 Conference.

All interested Major Groups and Stakeholders are invited to participate!

Registration will be open soon at: www.unep.org/civil-society.